Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Shadow Cloak (6)
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The Shadow Cloak was an item I had used quite frequently back in [Stella Academy].
Whenever I played the black mage route, I made sure to acquire it if possible.
That was how much I relied on it.
Because of that, I thought I had a perfect grasp of its personality.
At first, it looks down on its owner and acts prickly and dismissive, but as you spend time together and build a bond, it gradually opens up.
In other words, the classic tsundere type.
...Or so I thought.
[Masster... I misssed you...]
What the hell was this?
The voice echoing in my head was completely different from what I remembered.
It was speaking in a childish, lisping tone, full of aegyo.
[Pet me...]
It even clung tightly to me.
When it pressed so close that I absentmindedly stroked it gently,
[Hehe... Masster's hand... feels sso good...]
It melted completely, its voice full of satisfaction.
The shadow wrapping around me tenderly swayed as if pleased.
'What the heck is this thing?'
I was dumbfounded.
If my memory was correct, this thing would give a casual reaction like, "Hmm, not bad," even if you showed it a legendary-grade skill right at the start.
But what was this now?
I hadn't even used any skills yet.
Just as I was puzzling over it, a thought flashed through my mind.
'No way...'
Was it because of my Myth-grade trait, [Sin of Sloth]?
The one-of-a-kind Myth-grade trait that no one else in the game possessed.
Had it sensed that 'aura'?
Lily had also said this relic was presumed to belong to the 'Demon of Sloth.'
If so...
Was it mistaking me for the Demon of Sloth—its original master—because of my trait?
It was a highly plausible theory.
'Anyway, how long is it going to keep this up?'
That was when it happened.
[Ehehe... Heh... Huh?]
The Shadow Cloak, which had been burrowing into my arms, suddenly stopped wriggling.
A moment later, a trembling voice followed.
[I... what am I... doing right now...?]
It seemed to have come to its senses.
And realized what it had been doing up until then.
[———!!!!!]
The Shadow Cloak thrashed wildly, going berserk.
It looked just like someone kicking the blankets in embarrassment.
Along with it came an intense wave of emotion via telepathy.
The feeling of wanting to die from shame.
***
It took quite a while for the Shadow Cloak to calm down.
A moment later.
[......F-Forget it!]
It spat out its first words, back to the prickly personality I knew.
I let out a hollow chuckle in disbelief.
It had sulked, gotten embarrassed—all sorts of things on its own.
[Forget what just happened! Forget it right now, human!!!]
"...Sure. I don't remember a thing."
I nodded readily.
Of course, it was crystal clear in my mind.
[Haa, what on earth did I just do?]
The shadow draped over my body drooped limply.
Its voice was filled with regret and confusion.
"I'm wondering too. Why did that happen?"
At my question, the Shadow Cloak's voice quivered for a moment.
[I... don't really know. The moment I first touched you... I suddenly felt this strong sense of reuniting with my old master... So my body just moved on its own...]
"Old master? Who was that?"
[Ah. That one is my first master and my true master. His name is... Ngh...!?]
Suddenly, the shadow's form twisted in pain.
[Wh-what is this? I can't remember him clearly... His name, his face... Why? Is it because too much time has passed? No, there's no way I'd forget him...?]
The Shadow Cloak struggled to recall, but it seemed unsuccessful, so it continued in a dejected tone.
[For some reason, I can't remember... All I recall is that he was an incredibly great and powerful being.]
"I see..."
From the circumstances, that master was definitely the Demon of Sloth.
But for some reason, the Shadow Cloak's memories seemed sealed or erased.
This was intriguing.
'I'm curious about your master too. Is there no way to restore your memories?'
At my question, the Shadow Cloak fell silent for a moment.
Then, reluctantly answered.
[...W-well... For some reason, being with you makes me feel like the memories might come back.]
"Hmm."
Hearing that, I made a proposal.
"How about forming a contract with me, then?"
[...A contract, with you?]
The Shadow Cloak pondered briefly before accepting.
[F-Fine. I'll acknowledge you as my master, at least temporarily.]
But it quickly added, as if embarrassed.
[B-But don't get the wrong idea, human! It's not like I like you or anything! You're just... a means to recover my memories.]
"Got it."
[Alright... So, human, what's your name?]
"Jeron Airgia."
[...Call me 'Ker.']
Hearing the Shadow Cloak's name, I flinched.
'Huh, already telling me its true name?'
In the game, it only revealed that after building up a ton of bond.
And so, the moment Ker, the Shadow Cloak, acknowledged me as its master.
Ding!
[You have completed the first objective of ■■■■■'s quest, [Investigate Traces of the Mythic Era].]
[The second objective has been unlocked.]
1. Acquire the 'Shadow Cloak' (Complete)
2. Acquire the 'Hydra's Egg'
3. (Locked)
[Reward: Myth-grade skill unlocked]
A welcome window appeared before my eyes.
'Nice!'
I was finally one step closer to a Myth-grade skill.
'The next goal... Hydra's Egg, huh.'
The Hydra's Egg.
It was a much tougher objective than the Shadow Cloak.
Well, getting a Myth-grade skill couldn't be easy.
But plans for that could wait.
Right now, it was time to enjoy the reward in front of me.
'Alright, let's try using it properly now.'
But how exactly do I use it?
Come to think of it, since falling into the game world, I'd never used an active item.
'Is it similar to using skills?'
I pictured one of Ker's abilities in my mind.
Shadow Passage.
A top-tier movement ability that allowed instant teleportation within a certain distance.
'Let's aim over there.'
I selected the opposite side of the spacious room as my target.
Dark shadow portals appeared at both that spot and beneath my feet.
Whoosh—
My body was sucked into the shadows and reappeared at the target location in the blink of an eye.
Ah, so active items could be used with a sensation similar to skills.
[F-For your first time... you're handling it so skillfully....]
Ker muttered in a surprised voice.
However.
'Something tells me... this isn't all there is to it.'
After trying Shadow Passage, I had a hunch.
It felt like more than just activating preset abilities.
Because...
'It feels like an extension of my own body.'
It was too easy to control.
Just like moving a part of my own body.
So this time, instead of the skill activation sensation, I poured my will directly into the shadow.
The shadow began responding immediately to my thoughts.
It transformed into long wings and swept through the air, became a sharp blade and slashed the wall, or formed a massive shield to block my path.
'Whoa...!'
It could freely change shape according to my imagination.
This time, I condensed the shadow onto my right arm, forming a massive fist.
Then slammed it into the ground.
Boom!
The floor shattered with a massive roar.
[......Already handling it so roughly. You're lacking finesse.]
Ker grumbled a bit, but I ignored it and marveled.
'Wow.'
Its power exceeded expectations too.
It might not match [Magic Blade Slash] in pure attack power, but it seemed like a solid physical attack option.
'Huh? Wait. If that's the case...?'
Then, a brilliant idea struck me.
With this level of free shape-shifting...
'Couldn't I use it as a means of transportation too?'
The carriage sickness that had plagued me.
This might solve it.
I decided to try right away.
'Hmm. What shape should I make?'
Probably the most comfortable form.
And when it came to comfort, there was one thing...
A gaming chair from the PC bang.
How about that?
***
Lily watched Jeron's third trial with a trembling heart.
Jeron's strength surpassed her wildest imaginations.
So she had no doubt he would pass the trial.
But...
But still, wasn't that a bit too much?
'Jeron junior...'
On the screen, it was like a natural disaster unfolding.
A spectacle of destruction that felt like witnessing the end of the world.
Lily was constantly worried about Jeron somehow enduring that overwhelming assault.
That was when it happened.
The illusion eventually filled with light and then went dark.
"The observation magic has exceeded its limit. The viewing ends here."
The statue's dry voice rang out, but it didn't reach Lily's ears.
'What happened to junior?'
She was solely concerned about Jeron.
If she had taken that trial, she would have surely died.
Vaporized without a trace.
Jeron was enduring that horrific trial alone.
In her place, no less.
'Please... come back safely...'
Every minute felt like an eternity.
How much time passed?
Rumble...
The sealed stone door opened with a heavy groan.
"J-Jeron junior...!?"
Lily stared tensely at the doorway.
She desperately hoped Jeron would return alive, even if covered in blood or utterly exhausted.
However.
The Jeron who appeared from beyond the door was perfectly fine.
In fact, he wasn't even walking out.
He was sitting on some kind of black chair, leisurely floating in the air.
But it wasn't an ordinary chair.
She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but the most similar thing that came to mind was...
'...A throne?'
Vwooom—
Jeron flew in riding a throne made of shadows.
Looking infinitely slothful and arrogant, like a demon king from legend.